Melampodium is a sun-loving annual that blooms from spring until frost.
Each blossom looks like a mini sunflower.
Melampodium is an annual with small, sunflower-like blooms.
Credit: Cynthia Haynes
Other types, including blackfoot daisy(Melampodium leucanthum), have cream and white petals with yellow centers.
Blooming nonstop from spring through frost, this plant grows well in containers and works harmoniously with othersun-loving annuals.
So long as these conditions are met, melampodium is not finicky about where its grown.
Credit: Cynthia Haynes
The annual is fast-growing, thriving in containers, garden beds, and mass plantings.
How and When to Plant Melampodium
Melampodium should be planted after all danger of frost has passed.
When siting a nursery plant, dig a hole at least the same size and depth as the pot.
Credit: Peter Krumhardt
Before removing the melampodium from its container, water it well and let it drain.
Situate the plant in the ground and backfill the hole with the original soil.
If youre planting multiple melampodiums, space them about 12 inches apart.
Credit: Denny Schrock
Melampodium Care Tips
Thistough annualis low-maintenance when planted in its preferred light and soil conditions.
Light
Melampodium grows best in full sun, which aids abundant blooming and a compact habit.
Shadier conditions cause the annual to get leggy.
Credit: Scott Little
Melampodium is not cold-tolerant; its life cycle ends with the first frost.
As many cultivars get older, they tend to become leggy and may flop open.
Deadheadingis the best way to prevent spreading if you dont want your melampodium self-seeding in your garden.
Credit: Doug Hetherington
Potting and Repotting
Plant melampodium in its own container or a larger mixed planter as a filler.
Select a pot with large drainage holes and fill it with a well-draining potting mix.
The life cycle of melampodium ends in the fall, so it does not require repotting.
Prevent this with sufficient air circulation, leaving adequate space between the plants.
Slugs and snails might also feed on the plants but can be removed by hand.
While insects pose an inconvenience, melampodium isdeer-resistant.
How to Propagate Melampodium
Melampodium is propagated from seed.
Barely cover the seeds with soil, as they need light to germinate.
Keep the soil moist.
Melanie Melampodium
Melanie produces lots of golden-yellow flowers on a compact, 10-inch-tall plant.
Showstar Melampodium
Showstar is a spreading variety with an abundance of golden flowers.
The melampodium cultivar grows 14 to 24 inches tall.
Jackpot Gold Melampodium
Jackpot Gold has massesof 2-inch golden-orange flowers on 12-inch bushy plants.
Even with such harsh conditions, the plant produces bold, daisy-like flowers from summer to frost.
A perennial in Zones 9-11the hottest parts of the countrygazania is grown as an annual elsewhere.
The flowers appear over toothed, dark green or silver leaves, varying by throw in.
Gazania is great in beds, borders, and containers.
Plant established seedlings outdoors after all danger of frost has passed.
Do not fertilize, and keep the soil on the dry side.
French Marigold
French marigoldproduces frilly blooms, with some boasting a distinctive crested eye.
The plant grows roughly 8 to 12 inches high with a neat habit and elegant, dark green foliage.
French marigold does best in full sun with moist, well-drained soil.
It flowers all summer and may reseed, returning year after year in spots where its happy.
Salvia
Salviais a common annual plant that grows well in many conditions.
Most salvia types dont like cool weather, so plant them outdoors after all danger of frost has passed.
Yes, pollinators including bees, butterflies, and other insects are drawn to melampodium.
Small songbirds, such as goldfinches, also rely on the annual as a food source.
Melampodium leucanthumblackfoot daisy, also called plains blackfoot, is a melampodium cultivar.
It is a low, bushy perennial native to the southwestern United States and Mexico.
Updated by Nadia Hassani
Melampodium or Butter Daisy.
Clemson Cooperative Extension Home & Garden Information Center.
Plains Blackfoot (Melampodium leucanthum).
